Post by blackcrowheart on Jan 16, 2006 14:24:02 GMT -5
Political Scandal Clouds Tribal Meeting
10:04 PM EST, January 11, 2006
By JULIET WILLIAMS, Associated Press Writer PALM SPRINGS, Calif. --
www.courant.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-tribal-
gambling,0,3317584.story
The chairman of a Southern California Indian tribe that gave $10
million to indicted Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff apologized
Wednesday to other tribal leaders.
Richard Milanovich, of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians,
told delegates at the Western Indian Gaming Conference that his tribe
had only good intentions when it hired Abramoff. But Milanovich said
fallout from the scandal already is hurting the image of many tribes
in Washington, D.C.
Abramoff pleaded guilty last week to felony charges involving
influence peddling.
The scandal has caught up several members of Congress and their
aides, including former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Some
legislators have returned campaign contributions tied to Abramoff or
his clients.
Worries about the potential impact of the Abramoff scandal were at
the forefront as the three-day conference for casino-operating tribes
started Wednesday. Tribal leaders from 23 states are here to debate
policy and plan political strategy.
National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. said
Indian gambling opponents in Washington will try to "use Indian
Country as a scapegoat" in the wake of the scandal.
"But I'll tell you, no tribal leader ever agreed to be lied to or
cheated or misguided," he said during opening remarks. "Never once
have I seen Jack Abramoff in our camp."
The Agua Caliente tribe, which owns two casinos in the Palm Springs
area, gave Abramoff associates around $10 million over two years for
Washington lobbying, Milanovich said in an interview after his
address.
Milanovich said he had concerns about the lobbying money from the
start, but the tribal council wanted a stronger presence in the
nation's capital.
10:04 PM EST, January 11, 2006
By JULIET WILLIAMS, Associated Press Writer PALM SPRINGS, Calif. --
www.courant.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-tribal-
gambling,0,3317584.story
The chairman of a Southern California Indian tribe that gave $10
million to indicted Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff apologized
Wednesday to other tribal leaders.
Richard Milanovich, of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians,
told delegates at the Western Indian Gaming Conference that his tribe
had only good intentions when it hired Abramoff. But Milanovich said
fallout from the scandal already is hurting the image of many tribes
in Washington, D.C.
Abramoff pleaded guilty last week to felony charges involving
influence peddling.
The scandal has caught up several members of Congress and their
aides, including former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Some
legislators have returned campaign contributions tied to Abramoff or
his clients.
Worries about the potential impact of the Abramoff scandal were at
the forefront as the three-day conference for casino-operating tribes
started Wednesday. Tribal leaders from 23 states are here to debate
policy and plan political strategy.
National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. said
Indian gambling opponents in Washington will try to "use Indian
Country as a scapegoat" in the wake of the scandal.
"But I'll tell you, no tribal leader ever agreed to be lied to or
cheated or misguided," he said during opening remarks. "Never once
have I seen Jack Abramoff in our camp."
The Agua Caliente tribe, which owns two casinos in the Palm Springs
area, gave Abramoff associates around $10 million over two years for
Washington lobbying, Milanovich said in an interview after his
address.
Milanovich said he had concerns about the lobbying money from the
start, but the tribal council wanted a stronger presence in the
nation's capital.